What influenced your desire to be a dentist the most? (part 2)

[burton117]

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What influenced your desire to be a dentist the most? 😎

I thought the first version of this poll was a little lacking in options, so I brought back a better, more robust, and hopefully more accurate poll.

As always, feel free to add commentary if there are reasons you feel you are drawn to dentistry which are not listed above!

 

[ISU_Steve]

Several of these:
-Immediate results
-Autonomy
-Lifestyle and flexible hours
-Financial security and the guarantee of a nice paycheck

But I've worked in the medical field long enough to realize that the price I pay for what I do is too steep (lack of stability, poor patient outcomes because of the nature of what kinds of conditions I deal with, low pay, long hours, weird shifts, hellacious politics within my career field, etc) for not enough rewards. That's what has driven me to want to become a dentist- I can still help people which has been my life's work these past 8 years, but I just would like a little more in return for what I invest in my job. Is that too much to ask?

 

[billiken10]

What about all of the above?

 

[budge311]

That poll is difficult because the reason I chose this field is because of all of those reasons, because there are so many positives about being a dentist. The profession is just great!! 👍

 

[Comet208]

What about all of the above?

Ditto

 

[burton117]

What about all of the above?

Ok.. its hard to disagree with this. 😀

Isn't dentistry great!

 

[billiken10]

Isn't dentistry great!

YES! I am immensely happy with my decision to pursue dentistry and I think a majority of dentists are as well. That's another great thing about it!

 

[burton117]

Here are some similar polls for all you poll junkies out there!

What influenced your desire to be a dentist the most? (Part 1)

What is your number one motivation for dentistry?

What is the main reason you are choosing to become a dentist?

What is the main reason you are choosing dentistry

if Dentists WERE NOT paid well, would you still want to be one?

Do you see yourself volunteering your services to the needy when you're a dentist?

How did you first get interested in dentistry?

 

[burton117]

Ok.. its hard to disagree with this. 😀

Isn't dentistry great!

😀

 

[tinman831]

Ok.. its hard to disagree with this. 😀

Isn't dentistry great!

👍

 

[burton117]

It seems that lifestyle is the top choice here.. When people refer to lifestyle.. do we mean the relative lowness of hours worked in the field, the chance to be your own boss, open a practice, salary, or all of the above..

If any one aspect is particularly special... that would be great to know. For myself, I look at dentistry as being huge need overseas coupled with family being extremely important to me. Plus, working in a dental office has always appealed to me. Working with lots of people, jumping from patient to patient, seeing patients of all ages and making an immediate and positive tangible impact in their lives. What could be better!

My wife and I would not look favorably upon a profession which usually requires 80 hour work weeks, extensive travel, etc... In my case, I truly feel like Dentistry is a win-win-win situation... 😀

 

[dentalguy]

It seems that lifestyle is the top choice here.. When people refer to lifestyle.. do we mean the relative lowness of hours worked in the field, the chance to be your own boss, open a practice, salary, or all of the above..

If any one aspect is particularly special... that would be great to know. For myself, I look at dentistry as being huge need overseas coupled with family being extremely important to me. Plus, working in a dental office has always appealed to me. Working with lots of people, jumping from patient to patient, seeing patients of all ages and making an immediate and positive tangible impact in their lives. What could be better!

My wife and I would not look favorably upon a profession which usually requires 80 hour work weeks, extensive travel, etc... In my case, I truly feel like Dentistry is a win-win-win situation... 😀

I think Beestieboy said it best on this site......carpe dentum....

 

[dentalstudent99]

Several of these:
-Immediate results
-Autonomy
-Lifestyle and flexible hours
-Financial security and the guarantee of a nice paycheck

But I've worked in the medical field long enough to realize that the price I pay for what I do is too steep (lack of stability, poor patient outcomes because of the nature of what kinds of conditions I deal with, low pay, long hours, weird shifts, hellacious politics within my career field, etc) for not enough rewards. That's what has driven me to want to become a dentist- I can still help people which has been my life's work these past 8 years, but I just would like a little more in return for what I invest in my job. Is that too much to ask?

Thats funny, there is NO GUARANTEE OF A NICE PAYCHECK. Either you are good or not. Another dentist will not pay you if you are not good, therefore, NO GUARANTEE.

 

[SMC2UCLA2_]

Thats funny, there is NO GUARANTEE OF A NICE PAYCHECK. Either you are good or not. Another dentist will not pay you if you are not good, therefore, NO GUARANTEE.

Don't take it so literally. I think he meant that given the average salary of 170k for a GP, even a below avg salary would be drastically above the national average. Plenty of careers culminate with 150k salaries and starting there early isnt sooo bad.

 

[burton117]

I think Beestieboy said it best on this site......carpe dentum....

Seize the tooth ?!?!

 

[burton117]

What about all of the above?

I'm loving it!

 

[lemoncurry]

the reasons are all there, but if it weren't for the initial concerns over financial security and providing for my family, i would not have considered dentistry. Other reasons fell into place and became more important, but the security thing is always right up there.

 

[Dauber]

bump